# Molecular Advances and Sustainable Strategies in Mushroom Production for Food Security: A Review

## TL;DR

This review explores how mushrooms can support sustainable food production by combining ecological and molecular research, especially in challenging environments.

## Contribution

The paper bridges ecological and molecular insights to guide sustainable mushroom production in resource-limited and arid regions.

## Key findings

- Current research focuses on yield, substrate reuse, and enzymatic degradation, but lacks attention to molecular and climate adaptation studies.
- Advancements in genomics and metabolomics are improving mushroom cultivation and bioactive compound production.
- Mycorrhizal and microbial interactions are crucial for nutrient cycling and environmental resilience in mushroom ecosystems.

## Abstract

Mushrooms offer a promising solution for sustainable food production due to their nutritional value, low resource requirements, and ability to grow in diverse environments. As interest in mushrooms grows, it is important to understand where current research is focused and where key gaps remain. A bibliometric analysis of 776 research articles indexed in Web of Science revealed a strong emphasis on yield, substrate reuse, and enzymatic degradation, but limited attention to molecular approaches, climate adaptation, and studies from arid regions such as the Middle East. Building on these findings, this review explores the ecological diversity of mushrooms and their adaptations across tropical, temperate, boreal, and arid ecosystems. It discusses the role of mycorrhizal and microbial interactions in nutrient cycling and environmental resilience, including desert truffle symbioses. Key pathways and genetic regulation involved in lignin degradation are outlined, along with recent advancements in transcriptomics, proteomics, genomics, metabolomics, and metagenomics that support improved cultivation and bioactive compound production. The review also addresses sustainable practices, such as microbiome integration and resource recycling, to enhance mushroom farming. The aim is to bring together ecological insights and molecular strategies to support sustainable mushroom production, particularly in regions facing resource and climate challenges.